Click slides to forward at your own leisure – Enjoy! The piano music attached to this slideshow is called The Value of Life and was written and played by Chuck Brown Slideshow by Margaret Lepke ~ www.HeartbeatPresentations.org

The world is a stage And every soul Must play its part… Elvis once said: The world is a stage And every soul Must play its part… Let’s begin with Elvis – his mother was a woman of faith, and he grew up in the church. As a young men he spent much time singing gospel songs in church groups and choirs, but somehow he never seemed to find that personal faith his mother had. Satan set a trap, and Elvis ended up with fame and fortune – he became the ‘KING’. But he didn’t know the peace that comes only from God. ***He once said that the world is a stage, and every soul must play its part… And in a way this is true. There are many things in life we have no control over – but there are others where WE write the script. >>> www.HeartbeatPresentations.org

Every life makes a journey The Grave Every life makes a journey From the cradle to the grave. And beyond… I prefer to see each person’s life as a journey. A journey from the cradle to the grave >>>

My name is Margaret This is my journey… I prefer to see each person’s life as a journey. A journey from the cradle to the grave >>>

I was born, christened and confirmed in the Lutheran Faith

I experienced… A great childhood No big traumas  Only two different schools A few friends Wonderful parents And a little brother who loved me to bits My parents loved me and nurtured me They had very high moral standards, and we had a harmonious family life But I was never in the “IN” crowd and often felt lonely My self-image wasn’t good, and when it came to the later years of high school my grades dropped and boys became my main focus >>>

But then… That sweet child rebelled! Did many things I am not proud of Caused my parents a lot of grief And worst of all, I tried to argue my way out of it by basing it on the theory of EVOLUTION. Rational argument But morally it was wrong Sin comes from the heart Jer.

I wanted MY WAY and used the theory of evolution to defend it. After all, if we evolved at random, we had no higher power to be responsible to – and no one who had the right to dictate any moral standards… But the Bible says: The HEART is deceitful above all things - who can know it? [Jer.17:9-10] I didn’t know what I was doing – but God did – and He protected me from some of the worse consequences that could have affected my whole life. In retrospect I can see that He kept a watch over me, because He knew that one day I would finally come to Him. But not yet! There is someone who knows us completely – better than we do – and that someone is God. He searches our hearts and tests our minds – and there is absolutely nothing we can hide from HIM.

I married my husband after knowing him for 2 short months Things settled down and I got married – in a church! And the ceremony was held in a Lutheran Church I WAS STILL REBELLIOUS – BUT GOD HAD A PLAN…

we signed out of the Lutheran faith, Just one year later we signed out of the Lutheran faith, a religion you are ‘born’ into through infant baptism, not faith in Jesus Christ. We left all things ‘religious’ far behind us. But neither I nor my husband believed in God – so we left the church – and religion – and anything to do with it – behind.

And after yet another year we moved to I love it here 

12 years later I had Two gorgeous children Twelve years down the track…

Naturopathic Practice And a flourishing Naturopathic Practice And I had become a naturopath – someone who works with natural medicines such as herbs, nutritional therapies etc. I was also getting deeper Into New Age philosophies

Until one day… God brought along a client called Jan, And that meeting changed my life!

Jan had beautiful feet! How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace… Because Faith comes By hearing The word of God. Rom.10:15,17

During the consultation I asked her what she believed in (I knew she came from the New Tribes Mission campus), and Jan talked quite freely about her Christian faith. Afterward we talked a little more in the waiting room, and finally she asked if she could read me something from the Bible. Being polite, I agreed. To my amazement she pulled a small Bible out of her handbag, and this is the verse she read to me…

What Amazing Grace! God so loved the world That He gave His only Son John 3:16 That whosoever believes In Him Will not perish but have eternal life. What Amazing Grace!

I could cope with a loving God. But then Jan went on to read a passage about sin (indicating that I, too, was a sinner) And I did NOT like that!!! This is what she read…

All Are Sinners There is no one who is righteous, no, not even one… For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God Rom.3:10,23

ALL are GUILTY I didn’t like the idea of being a sinner – and that all people should be guilty in God’s eyes was unacceptable to me >>>

I did not like this at all! Surely, I wasn’t a sinner? I tried to be a good person! A good wife and mother… A good naturopath, helping people… And so I strongly objected, but Jan was patient and wise. She didn’t argue. She simply turned to the Old Testament and began reading once again…

Sin is My Own Way We all like sheep have gone astray Every one of us has turned to HIS OWN WAY And GOD has laid on His Son Jesus Christ the sin of us all. Isaiah 53:6 And this is what God used to cut right through me and convict me of my own sin I realized that ‘MY OWN WAY’ >>>

And – bang – all of a sudden I felt terribly convicted. I could identify with going MY WAY… I had never wanted to give an account to anyone, let alone an almighty God. But I realized that if ‘MY WAY’ was self-will and therefore the basis of sin, then I was most certainly guilty!

Had I known at that time that the word ‘sin’ is actually a marksman’s term, a word for missing the bull’s eye, i.e. missing the mark of perfection, it might have been easier for me to recognize sin for what it actually is.

My idea of a sinner had been someone who had committed TERRIBLE things like robbery or murder. But certainly not me! I had only taken a few small things (which ‘everyone does!’) and told a few ‘little’ lies. I would have realized that even one ‘little white lie’ meant missing the mark. And anything short of God’s perfection (even missing the bulls eye by just 0.1 of a millimeter) would still be sin.

“NO!” Sin is also SELF-REIGN and saying To Jesus Christ I couldn’t get rid of these women quickly enough. I was polite, of course, but I didn’t care for what they had to say! >>> To Jesus Christ

“Do not fear those who can kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Jesus said: “Do not fear those who can kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather FEAR HIM [GOD] who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Matt.10:28 But those verses from the Bible stuck with me. They didn’t leave me alone all afternoon……….until I ………. >>>

I didn’t want to hear these things! I could not say good-bye to Jan quickly enough. I was polite, of course, but I was glad when she was gone. But then I kept feeling convicted all afternoon. What if this biblical God really existed and the Bible was truly His inspired Word to us? Then I would be guilty – I knew it deep in my heart. So what was I to do???

I decided to simply talk to this God I decided to simply talk to this God. After all, if He was there He would be able to hear me and, hopefully, answer my call. I asked Him if He was true and if the Bible was true. How would He answer? Handwriting on the wall? I wasn’t sure. And God did answer, but not quite as I had expected. He simply increased my conviction of sin until it was so strong that I finally gave in. That night…

When everyone was asleep, I knelt down in my waiting room and poured out my heart. I told God that I believed Jesus died for my sins, and that I needed Him in my life. I confessed all the sins that came to mind and asked Jesus to forgive me. I realized that He had suffered for ME!!! It got very personal… I shed tears of sorrow for the pain He had suffered for me, and tears of happiness for being forgiven and cleansed.

I had found my path to life!

? FAITH + TRUST in Christ brought me PARDON + PEACE But where to from here? I knelt down in front of one of the chairs in my waiting room after everyone else had gone to bed, and asked Jesus to forgive me…… I shed tears of sorrow… and tears of joy… Now I had become God’s child, But where to from here >>>

Two gorgeous children who didn’t know God And a loving but Unbelieving husband I agonized over them But God had things all planned. I was invited to a Bible study that focused on family life and individual roles in the family. And what I learnt surprised me – and caused me much discomfort. >>> I had Two gorgeous children who didn’t know God

I started reading the Bible, And God led me to a Bible Study on family life where I learnt how a Christian wife and mother should behave – and love…

A woman who has a husband who does not believe, if he is willing to live with her, let her not divorce him. (1 Corinthians 7:13) For how do you know, oh wife, whether you will save your husband? (1 Corinthians 7:16) Wives, submit to your own husbands as to the Lord. (Ephesians 5:22) You see, I had been a feminist – but now I was supposed to submit to my husband…… That was so hard! But I was determined to do what the Bible said, because I reasoned that the God who created all things is well able to bring about His promises. I shed many tears and kept running to God for help – but a year later my husband turned to the Lord… and my children also grew to know God. But it WAS hard! I found a little Bible plaque with something Jesus had said, and it comforted me greatly… >>>

This was hard! I had been quite a feminist, and now I should SUBMIT to my husband? But I figured that if God said this was best for our marriage, it would be true. And so I put God’s instructions to the test. Many sighs and tears later I did manage to become a helper to my husband rather than leading my own life, and it didn’t take long to see the fruits…

My husband and children witnessed the change in me and saw the fruit…

I trusted in Jesus to save me and in God’s Word to guide me. Within less than a year my husband and my children came to know God as well. It was pure joy! This verse from Proverbs became my lead verse. But what are these paths the Lord will lead us in? Are they a bed of roses without thorns? – No more sickness – no more suffering? NO! - Suffering is part of this earthly life. We have a very sanitized view of suffering. We look at it as something that should be removed ASAP. We have drugs for pain and social security for hardships. But in many parts of this world the situation is different, and so it was in Biblical times. In God’s economy, suffering serves a purpose. We don’t always know what it is at the time, but often we can tell in hindsight. And through it all – and under God’s guidance – we develop our reliance on God, perseverance, patience, and a stronger character. We are being made into the jewels God wants us to be!

However, the Christian life is not a bed of roses without thorns… For instance, one year our house and shed were surrounded by fire (but miraculously survived). And over the years we went through various other trials, heartaches and disappointments. The Apostle Peter said: Do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial that is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice… 1 Pet.4:12 This verse from Proverbs became my lead verse. But what are these paths the Lord will lead us in? Are they a bed of roses without thorns? – No more sickness – no more suffering? NO! - Suffering is part of this earthly life. We have a very sanitized view of suffering. We look at it as something that should be removed ASAP. We have drugs for pain and social security for hardships. But in many parts of this world the situation is different, and so it was in Biblical times. In God’s economy, suffering serves a purpose. We don’t always know what it is at the time, but often we can tell in hindsight. And through it all – and under God’s guidance – we develop our reliance on God, perseverance, patience, and a stronger character. We are being made into the jewels God wants us to be!

This verse became our reality… We trusted… And God delivered… This verse became our reality… Trust in the LORD with all your heart And lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways Acknowledge Him And He shall direct Your paths. Prov.3:5-6 It is still our favorite Bible verse! This verse from Proverbs became my lead verse. But what are these paths the Lord will lead us in? Are they a bed of roses without thorns? – No more sickness – no more suffering? NO! - Suffering is part of this earthly life. We have a very sanitized view of suffering. We look at it as something that should be removed ASAP. We have drugs for pain and social security for hardships. But in many parts of this world the situation is different, and so it was in Biblical times. In God’s economy, suffering serves a purpose. We don’t always know what it is at the time, but often we can tell in hindsight. And through it all – and under God’s guidance – we develop our reliance on God, perseverance, patience, and a stronger character. We are being made into the jewels God wants us to be!

And now Christ’s love constrains us to tell others about God’s Rescue Plan…

I am the way, the truth and the life. Jesus said: I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

What will YOU do with JESUS? Will He be your Judge or your Saviour?

Will you receive an eternal inheritance from God?

Will Christ say to you, “Well done, my good and faithful servant?” Will Jesus say to you, “Well done, my good and faithful servant?” Because one day you will stand before Him!

Or will you reject His offer of salvation and spend eternity in a place where there is no love (because God is not there)?

Eternity Where YOU spend Will depend on… How you respond to Jesus Christ - YOUR SAVIOUR - while you are still on PLANET EARTH! The news are full of our current financial crisis – and it may get worse – but it is NOTHING compared to your personal crisis if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your saviour!

As for me, I am looking forward to Christ’s return, because I KNOW MY SAVIOUR. As for me … I am growing older now, and I am eagerly waiting for the return of my Savior. But while I am waiting…

Safe in God's Hand Each morning when I wake, I say, “I place my hand in God’s today.” With faith and trust that by my side He’ll walk with me my steps to guide. He leads me on with tender care, When paths are dark and I despair. No need for me to understand If I hold fast to His great hand. And until that time, I am safe in God’s hand… 1

Safe in God's Hand My hand in His – no surer way To walk in safety through each day. By His great bounty I am fed, Warmed by His love and comforted. When at day’s end I seek my rest, And realise how much I’m blest, My thanks pour out to Him – and then I place my hand in God’s again. 2

If you feel convicted of sin and realize that you need a Savior, For watching! A huge THANK YOU to God, my Saviour And a big THANK YOU to YOU for listening. Let’s recap our three points… And PLEASE… If you feel convicted of sin and realize that you need a Savior, Don’t put it off! Talk to Jesus right now and ask His forgiveness. There is no time like ‘today’ for you do not know what tomorrow holds. Margaret Lepke ~ www.HeartbeatPresentations.org